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Chicago District Golf Association Foundation

EIN 36-2374223 · Lemont, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1944 FOR RETURNING VETERANS FROM WORLD WAR II, THE CDGA FOUNDATION SECURES AND ADMINISTERS PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT TO ADVANCE THE MISSION AND PROGRAMS OF THE CDGA. WE RECOGNIZE THE LIFE-CHANGING BENEFITS OF GOLF AND THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY. EVERY DONATION TO THE CDGA FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTES TO FURTHERING ACCESS AND INCLUSION WITHIN OUR DISTRICT, SO THAT WE CAN GROW THE GAME FOR ALL.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$838,628
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
22.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
0
Volunteers
73
Highest pay
$283,464, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $262,367 spent. MIDWEST GOLF HOUSE PROVIDES AN ADMINISTRATIVE HOME FOR LOCAL GOLF ORGANIZATIONS TO OPERATE AND PROVIDE PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES TO MEMBERS THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS AND THE MIDWEST. IN ADDITION TO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THROUGH THE 100-SEAT MICHAEL KEISER/JERY RICH EDUCATION CENTER, THE DON GARDNER LIBRARY, AND THE BOB BERRY SUNSHINE COURSE THAT SERVES AS AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM FOR TURFGRASS RESEARCH AND PROGRAMMING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, VETERANS AND YOUTH.
  2. $540,421 spent. THE CDGA FOUNDATION AWARDS THE ASSOCIATION GRANTS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES: 1) CDGA SUNSHINE PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND VETERANS PROVIDE NUMEROUS THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS, SENSE OF CAMARADERIE AND INCLUSIVENESS. THE CDGA PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT INCLUDE THE UNITED STATES ADAPTIVE GOLF ALLIANCE (USAGA), REVELATIONGOLF AND THE HINES V.A. BLIND REHABILITATION CENTER AND LOCAL SPECIAL RECREATION ASSOCIATIONS TO PROVIDE NUMEROUS CAMPS AND PLAYING OPPORTUNITIES.2) CDGA PROVIDES SUBSIDIES TO LOCAL GOLF COURSE OPERATORS ENSURING THAT GOLF REMAINS AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AGES 6-18.3) CDGA AWARDS SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO DESERVING YOUTH AND DEPENDENTS OF DECEASED OR DISABLED VETERANS. THE CDGA ALSO AWARDS SMALL GRANTS TO SUPPORT COLLEGIATE WOMEN'S GOLF PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending November 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1948.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.